San Francisco de Macorís

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San Francisco de Macorís
San Francisco de Macorís is located in Dominican Republic
San Francisco de Macorís
Coordinates: 19°18′0″N 70°15′0″W / 19.3°N 70.25°W / 19.3; -70.25
Country  Dominican Republic
Province Duarte
Founded 1778
Municipality since 1844
Area [1]
 - Total 763.77 km2 (294.9 sq mi)
Elevation [2] 110 m (361 ft)
Population (2002)[3]
 - Total 185,618
 - Density 243/km2 (629.4/sq mi)
 - Estimate (2008) 174,879
 - Urban 123,762
 - Demonym Francomacorisano(a)
Municipal Districts 4

San Francisco de Macorís is considered as the 5th most important city in the Dominican Republic and is also the capital of the Duarte Province. It has had a very active role in the shaping of Dominican history, as it is known as one of, if not the most, politically active cities in the country. It is located in the northeast portion of the island, in the Cibao region. It is the home town of the author Hilma Contreras and home town of the world renowned playboy Porfirio Rubirosa.

The name San Francisco de Macorís comes from a fusion of the name of Saint Francis, patron saint of the Franciscan Order (a religious organization from Italy that had come to this territory during colonization) and the territory's old name, which is Macorix.

Contents

[edit] Geography

San Francisco de Macoris is located in between the Septentrional Mountain Range at the North and the the northern valley or "Cibao." on the southern part. Temperatures vary between 62 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooler temperatures affected by rainfall. Pretty much it is an Isolated paradise since much of the territory is unaffected by hurricanes or extremely hot weather. Occasional floods can occur due to rainy season which manifests itself mostly during the month of May. San Francisco de Macoris has hills to the north which provide a great view of the city during evening hours. The Jaya River is a prominent mark on the land since it lays on the western part of the town.

[edit] Relief

The relief of Duarte Province ranges from 17 meters to 942 meters above sea level, reaching its highest elevation at "Loma Quita Espuela." Such name, Allegedly comes from when the Spaniards were exploring the island, since the hill was too steep to ride their horses up, in order to go up, they had to dismount and remove their spurs and undertake the ascent on foot. There are two main geologic regions: the north slope of the Cordillera Septentrional and the rough topography of the Delta del Yuna.

[edit] Professional and Amateur Sports

San Francisco de Macoris enjoys of a great pools of young athletes whose dedication and love for sports and physical activities makes them pursue their dreams in different disciplines. The most important sports played in the city include but are not limited to: Basketball (with teams represented by Club Duarte, Club Maximo Gomez, Club San Vicente de Paul, Club San Martin and much more.) Baseball "Los Gigantes del Cibao" which is a club that plays at the National Level. Voleiball is also a sport which has great influence in the youngsters of this great Dominican community. Taekuondo, Boxing, Karate, etc. are also some sports which are played at the amateur leve. Furthermore, Motorcrossing is a sport which have captivated the populace of San Francisco de Macoris since the 70's, conseguently, eight dirt bike tracks have been built in the outskirts of the city, and have produced great figures and national champions who compete at international level in Latin America.

[edit] Sites of interest

  • Estadio Julian Javier
  • Hotel Las Caobas
  • Hotel Libano
  • Colonial Plaza
  • Plaza El Tejar
  • Plaza San Francisco
  • San Diego Campo Club
  • El Mayorista Club
  • Yudul
  • Quita Espuela Hill Reserve (accessible via the Fundación Loma Quita Espuela)
  • The Twins Pool

[edit] Principle avenue and street

  • Libertad Avenue
  • Antonio Guzman Fernandes Avenue
  • Los Martires Avenue
  • Caonabo Avenue
  • Frank Grullon Avenue
  • Los Rieles Avenue
  • Bienvenido Fuertes Duarte Avenue
  • Salcedo Street
  • Castillo Street
  • La Cruz Street
  • El Carmen Street
  • 27 de Febrero Street
  • Gregorio Rivas Street
  • Colon Street

[edit] Nightlife

Dozens of restaurants, bars, clubs, and parks of the city provide recreation and fun attracting crowds of the city's inhabitants and tourists as well, making it an active nightlife area. The city has an extremely active nightlife which is considered by many people to be one of the best nightlife in the country.

[edit] Restaurants and bars

  • Luffero Cafe Bar: Situated in the San Francisco mall, being one of the most popular places of the town.
  • El Tanque Restaurant Bar: It is located in the Castillo Street with Gaspar Hernandez Street.
  • Rancho Papa King Restaurant Bar: It is located in Antonio Guzman Fernandez Avenue,the place were you could enjoy the night with your family and Friends.
  • The Doors Lounge: A place mostly visited by young people. one of the most popular onSan Francisco too.( Out Of Business) (Was located in the colonial area)
  • El Patio Restaurant Bar: Excellent Restaurant Lounge And Bar Locked Antonio Guzman Fernandez Avenue Just One Block Ahead Of El Tanque Restaurant.
  • The Cliff Restaurant And Sports Bar: Enjoy International sports Games On Over 5 Different Projector screens located on the first level of the complex, or second level where the bar has a more club like feeling. Located On the entrance/Exit of the city. Antonio Guzman Fernandez Avenue (As If heading to the capital) Approx 3 Mins From El Patio Restaurant.
  • El Bravo Bar: Mostly Visited by young People. Wide Varitey of Prepared Drinks And has a Drive-thru Bar. ( Located Av Libertad Calle Billini )
And Many More Bars Located In the city, These Above Are the Mostly Visited Ones!


The city of San Francisco de Macoris also counts with Internacionals Fast Food Restaurants like Burger King, Pizza Hut and Domino Pizza located in La Sirena Multi-Center.

[edit] Clubs and parks

  • San Diego Campo Club: (4 Stars) is the popular club near Las Caobas Hotel.This place is very visited during summer time by San francisco's population and also tourists.Its access is restricted to registered members only.
  • The Mayorista Club: Another popular club of the city, located in the Antonio Guzman Fernandez Avenue. Many activities take place in it, such as sport like swimming, volleyball and the Nacional Sample Fair.
  • Duarte Park: This park is very visited. It is located in the center of the city, in front of The municipal building and the Libano Hotel.Many activities take place in it, like Duarte's day where thousands of people including the President of the country re-unite to see the parade memorizing Juan Pablo Duarte.
  • Los Martires Park: It is also located in the Antonio Guzman Fremandez Avenue,in front of Burger Kingand a Movie Theater. The park where you could see the most Nightlife in the city.

[edit] The municipal building

City Hall of San Francisco de Macoris

The City Hall of San Francisco de Macoris, is the headquarters of the city counsel and city mayor. In this old building, politicians in charge of the Duarte Province meet to govern the Province.

[edit] Santa Ana Cathedral

Santa Ana Cathedral

This beautiful structure is a splendid mixture of gothic and modern architecture. It covers a complete city block, bound in the north by Santa Ana Street, in the south by Colon Street, on the west by Papi Olivier Street and on the east by Restauracion Street. The Santa Ana Cathedral is the headquarters of Obispo de la Diócesis de San Francisco and home to the renowned humanist, Monseñor Jesús María de Jesús Moya.

[edit] The Montecito de Oración

The Montecito de Oracion

The Montecito de Oracion is a meditative center popular with both local Macorisanos and with tourists from throughout the world. This center of spirituality was donated by the Francomacorisanos and this located in 1-½ km along the highway San Francisco Villa Tapia. It is administered by the religious order of the Instituto de los Sacerdotes Diocesanos de Schoentatt.

[edit] Media

San Francisco de Macoris, has several radio stations and publications. Its longest running newspaper is EL JAYA which was founded November 20, 1985. Its director and founder is the journalist Adriano Cruz Marte.

[edit] Famous residents

[edit] The Last Playboy

The Last Playboy

Porfirio Rubirosa, born January 22, 1909 in San Francisco de Macorís, was a Dominican diplomat, polo player and Formula One race car driver, but was best known as an international playboy for his jet setting lifestyle and legendary prowess with women. Rubirosa married Flor de Oro Trujillo, daughter of Dominican dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.

[edit] Other notable residents

[edit] The mayor

The current Mayor of San Francisco de Macoris is Ing. Félix Manuel Rodríguez.

Coordinates: 19°18′N 70°15′W / 19.3°N 70.25°W / 19.3; -70.25

[edit] References

  1. ^ Superficies a nivel de municipios, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
  2. ^ De la Fuente, Santiago (1976) (in Spanish). Geografía Dominicana. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Editora Colegial Quisqueyana. 
  3. ^ Censo 2002 de Población y Vivienda, Oficina Nacional de Estadistica
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Provincial capitals of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
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